Most people ask a question by raising the pitch of their voice at the end of the question. I noticed tonight that it’s possible to ask a question by beginning the statement at a higher pitch and then dropping it at the end of the statement. The falling pitch is much more dominant. Think of the difference between “Go to your room?” with the pitch rising at the end vs. “Go to your room,” with the pitch falling at the end, as a father might say to his child.
The really interesting thing is that parental tonality can be applied to questions as well as statements. I’m going to play around with this…
Comments on this entry are closed.
“I noticed tonight that it’s possible to ask a question by beginning the statement at a higher pitch and then dropping it at the end of the statement.”
I’m not sure what you’re saying here. If you don’t raise your tone at the end of the phase “go to your room”, then the phrase is no longer a question, it’s a command. So how can any question be asked by lowering your tone at the end? Or are you just saying that any phrase can either be a statement or a question, depending on the intonation used?
Pick a question, for example, “Is that all right?” Most people would ask this by raising the pitch of the words at the end of the phrase. It is also possible to drop the pitch at the end of the phrase and have it clearly be a question. You have to play with it a little to get it just right, but it’s much more authoritative when you do.
Took me a while to think about it, but I think I know what you’re getting at.
“Go to your room” isn’t a question, btw. Well, It can be… but when you’re punishing your child, you’re not asking them to go to their room.
What you consider an ‘authoritative question’ is most likely going to be a rhetorical question, and it’s going to be used by someone with aggression.
“Can’t I just have some time to myself!”
“Don’t you think you should have helped your team?”
“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU TODAY, NIELS??”
Going over those questions, you’ll find the first word is going to be umm… robust. The rest of the question tends to trail off.
I agree with actives… I can’t figure out how to use the technique without sounding like I have a chip on my shoulder.
Hopefully helpful FYI: In sales lingo, you’re referring to “directional statements” as opposed to actual questions.
It’s not just what you say…it’s how you say it.
Mr. Actives: In this manner, by making a directional statement, one is exhibiting leadership in the conversation. You come across as assertive instead of hopeful. It doesn’t have to come across as overly-aggressive. Just practice it a bunch of times.
By the way, Niels, GO BEARS! [Cal alum & former sales trainer] I enjoy your blog immensely.